LAWRENCE COUNTY Officials mull hiring firm to view home's finances

One commissioner wants to hire a company this week.
By LAURE CIOFFI
VINDICATOR NEW CASTLE BUREAU
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Lawrence County commissioners are talking about hiring a professional auditing firm to look over the county nursing home's finances.
Commissioners received a proposal from ZA Consulting of Harrisburg to complete a weeklong look at the financial status of Hill View Manor as well as make recommendations for improvements. The audit is estimated to cost about $32,000.
The finances recently came under scrutiny when the county failed to sell the home to a private company, Sylvan Heights Realty Partners.
Halted sale
The Pennsylvania Department of Health halted the sale contending that money had possibly been transferred from a private pay patient account and that there are questions about the relationship between Sylvan Heights and a nursing home management firm, Americare, hired to run the home until the sale was final. One of Sylvan Heights' partners is also affiliated with Americare.
Commissioners say they want to take a closer look at the finances.
Commissioner Roger DeCarbo suggested they vote Tuesday to hire ZA Consulting, but Commissioner Ed Fosnaught said he wanted to wait until Thursday's caucus meeting to discuss the matter.
DeCarbo said that he plans to propose again Thursday that they hire ZA Consulting. DeCarbo said he wants the consulting firm to start work as soon as possible.
Commissioners said they met representatives of ZA Consulting at last week's county commissioner's conference in Philadelphia. The company then gave commissioners a proposal for the work.